Love Your Block grant award program has $500 each for 10 lucky groups

Applications are available for the Pittsburgh's Love Your Block grant award program, one of five service-based initiatives recently launched as part of the mayor's servePGH plan, which coordinates volunteers to help address the city's greatest challenges.

The block revitalization program will give up to 10 local non-profit organizations $500 dollars in order for them to purchase the supplies and equipment necessary to implement a block improvement project that mobilizes community volunteers and coordinates city services to support the effort.

"My servePGH initiative gives residents the opportunity to make a direct and meaningful impact in their communities," Mayor Luke Ravenstahl said. "With this innovative service initiative, community organizations will get the financial boost they need to roll up their sleeves and carry out their own brand of block beautification."

The city will give special consideration to projects that are close to schools, address vacant lots, or provide a direct benefit to a neighborhood business district. City leaders will meet with the awardees and deploy city services such as trash collection and graffiti removal, as necessary. A full list of available city services can be found in the Love Your Block applications.

The Home Depot Foundation donated $10,000 toward this program in the form of $500 Home Depot gift cards. For the first of four rounds of Love Your Block grants, the ten selected projects will each receive one gift card. Project implementation will take place this September, and applications for the second round of grants will be available in winter 2011-12.

"We are extremely grateful to the Home Depot Foundation for their investment in this program and their national commitment to supporting vibrant and sustainable communities," Mr. Ravenstahl said.

Applicants must qualify as a non-profit organization, and the impacted area must be within city limits. Applications must be received no later than 5 p.m. on June 15; late applications will not be accepted. Applicants will be notified of their status by mid-July. A mandatory grantee orientation will take place on August 1, location and time will be announced to grantees at a later date. The first round of Love Your Block project implementation will take place this September and October.